Am I Eligible for This Program?

At this time, the Homeowner Assistance Fund helps homeowners who are most at risk of foreclosure and housing displacement, socially disadvantaged individuals (as defined by U.S. Treasury), or otherwise meet one of the additional eligibility criteria below.

General Eligibility Criteria

In order to apply, homeowners must meet the general eligibility requirements listed below. General eligibility includes homeowners who meet the following requirements: 

1. You’re living at the property as your primary residence. An exception may apply if you were displaced by a state-recognized natural disaster or a casualty loss (sudden or unexpected event, like a fire) and plan to return to the property.
2. The property is a one- to four-unit residential property, condominium, manufactured home, or floating home.
3. You’re listed as a borrower on the mortgage or are the owner of the property. Please note: If an estate or deceased individual is an owner; you’re using a power of attorney, trust, or other entity; or there are others on the title that don’t live at the property, you may have title issues that delay the application or result in a denial if you’re not an owner. However, you may be eligible for legal help regarding owner title issues through the Oregon Homeowner Legal Assistance project.
4. You experienced financial hardship (either a reduction in income or increase in living expenses) due to the coronavirus pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020.
5. Your original mortgage principal balance must be at or below the Federal Housing Finance Agency conforming loan limits in place on the date you entered into your mortgage.
6. Your mortgage cannot be an open home equity line of credit (HELOC). OHCS will verify that any line of credit is closed.
7. If you have a mortgage, your mortgage servicer must be enrolled in the OHCS Homeowner Assistance Fund program. To confirm if your mortgage servicer or housing expense entity has been enrolled in the program, view our list of participating servicers (English | Spanish). OHCS will only request to enroll your mortgage servicer twice.
8. For the Past-Due Payment Relief program:
   • You’re behind on your housing payments. If you’re seeking assistance with just your county property taxes, you’re at least two years past due on your property tax payments.
   • The total post-due amount on your mortgage or other housing cost must be less than $50,000 at the time your application meets the minimum requirements and is submitted for processing. If you owe more than $50,000, as determined by OHCS and/or your servicer or housing cost provider, your application will be denied.
   • You must be at or below 150% area median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater. (See chart | Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese).
   • You don’t have enough liquid assets to pay the past-due amounts and bring your housing costs current. Liquid assets include all cash, bank accounts, and investment accounts, excluding retirement accounts and 529 college plans.
   • You must be able to afford your housing costs. Your housing expense to gross monthly income ratio must be 43% or less. If your monthly housing costs are $860 and your income is $2,000, your ratio is 43% ($860 / $2,000 = 0.43).
9. For the Ongoing Payment Relief program:
   • Homeowners must be at or below 100% area median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater. (See chart | Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese).

Note: OHCS does not provide assistance for homeowner’s insurance unless that cost is part of your escrow charges in your monthly mortgage payment.

There are other general eligibility requirements that apply to certain applications, mortgages, or personal situations. If these pertain to your application, you will be informed during the application process.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

OHCS opened HAF in phases. This approach focused on the most at-risk homeowners and, now, assisting homeowners who meet any of the additional eligibility criteria below. Please check back regularly to be sure you meet the current criteria before submitting your application.

Homeowners who meet all of the general eligibility criteria above may only apply for the Homeowner Assistance Fund if they meet ONE of the following situations.

• Homeowners who are in active foreclosure (sheriff’s sale date, judicial case, notice of default with sale date).
• Homeowners who received a certificate of compliance from the Oregon Foreclosure Avoidance program. Servicers or lenders typically start this process. The certificate of compliance allows them to start a foreclosure if a servicer workout resolution is not available. Note: This certificate does not necessarily mean a homeowner will be approved for HAF. HAF does not recommend a homeowner start this process, because they can place themselves at immediate risk of foreclosure and limit their options.
• Homeowners who are in the property tax redemption period. The redemption period is the amount of time allowed to pay off back taxes, plus interest and fees, after the homeowner’s county completed a tax lien foreclosure.
• Homeowners traditionally underserved or who are less able to recover, including those who are:
  • Elderly (62+)
  • Living with a disability (with proof of SSDI, SSI, or other government-awarded disability benefits)
  • Rural (determined by ZIP Code)
  • Socially disadvantaged individuals (defined by the U.S. Treasury), including:
    • Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, Asian, and Pacific Islander households, and members of federally recognized Tribes
    • Limited English proficiency
    • Resident of a majority-minority Census tract. The applicable census tracts are in ZIP Codes 97266, 97229 and 97761
  • Displaced due to property destruction from a state-recognized natural disaster

Do you meet these criteria? See How to Apply.